READERS GET A CHANCE TO RIDE NEW HARLEYS

Cycle World Tour Powered By Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson Motor Company asked Cycle World magazine to gather a group of readers for a ride in the Texas Hill Country as part of this year's MotoGP at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Harley-Davidson wanted enthusiasts with lots of motorcycle experience, but limited seat-time on Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The goal was to give these riders a range of Harley-Davidson motorcycles to get their feedback on how they stack up against the bikes they normally ride. Selected readers were treated to a press introduction style-event, giving them an "Editor For A Day" experience. Joining them was Cycle World Editor-at-Large, Peter Egan, offering his insights on participating in press events and the job of being a motorcycle journalist.

The group had a full schedule. The day started with a briefing by Harley-Davidson staff on the company, brand and product. Post briefing, participants choose from a wide selection of model year 2015 motorcycles, which included everything from fully-customized CVO Street Glides to the new Street 750. Once geared up, the group headed for the hills and a mid-ride pit-stop in Wimberley, Texas for a lunch talk on the technical aspects of the product before swapping bikes for the return ride to Austin. Participants were then hosted at an advanced showing of the HandBuilt show in downtown Austin, featuring amazing custom bikes created by fantastically gifted craftsmanship. A BBQ dinner followed, along with a question and answer session with Egan. Great stories, amazing motorcycles and insane BBQ are all well and good, but the real highlight was going for the ride. A video crew captured the event for others to ride along and see just what non-Harley riders thought when they got a chance to experience Harley-Davidson bikes for themselves.